Modifying a Tekonsha 118730 for a 2018-2019 Mk-7.5 Golf Sportwagen or Alltrack with LED lamps.
Tekonsha claims their 118730 works with all 2016-2019 Golf Sportwagens and
Alltracks.
This is not true. In 2018 with the Mk-7.5 facelift VW changed the tail lights,
changing the connector and
pinouts. Some modifications have to be made to the Tekonsha for it to work.
First open the pin retaining clip:
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| clip closed |
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| clip open |
You'll need a pin release tool. I have two of these; only one is necessary, but two is better.
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| Pin release tool |
Something like this
that has two pins is even better.
Remove the connectors one at a time by pushing into both holes with the tool. The wire should come out easily. If it doesn't, keep trying. You don't want to break the wire or the connector.
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| pin release hole |
Re-arrange the wires like this: Only remove a single pair at a time so they don't get mixed up.
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| Left side before |
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| Left side before |
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| Left side modified |
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| Left side modified |
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| right side before |
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| right side modified |
The Mk-7 and Mk-7.5 have different warding on the connectors, so the plugs won't
fit without modification.
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| remvove this |
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| before and after |
The warding on the female side is deep, and hard to get to.
I made a chisel out of a crappy old tiny screwdriver and a bench grinder. Use a file if you don't ahve a grinder.
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| custom chisel |
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| custom chisel |
The warding on the male connector is much easier to remove: a utility knife made short work of it:
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| remove this |
